`TOP GUN' STRIKES TWICE

The "Top Gun" bandit has struck again, this time holding up two Salt Lake area stores. Law enforcement officials said the holdups bring his robbery total to at least nine.

A man described as 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, about 225 pounds and wearing a black hat with "Top Gun" written on it held up the TCBY Yogurt shop, 4774 S. Highland Drive, about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, said Sgt. Steve Alexander of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.And a man matching that description held up the Floral Boutique, 1276 W. 90th South, in West Jordan at about 4:30 p.m., said West Jordan Police Sgt. Gary Cox.

Since Nov. 6, nine small businesses in Sandy, West Jordan, South Jordan and Salt Lake County have been held up by a man believed to be about 55 years old, with gray hair, sporting the baseball cap and wielding a small-caliber revolver.

Investigators said the robber strikes small businesses, such as fast-food outlets, convenience stores and service stores, between 3 and 6 p.m.

The Tuesday robberies followed the same pattern, Alexander and Cox said.